Cuban Highlights Ride

Welcome to Havana, the lively capital of Cuba. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, it is now a soulful mix of colonial architecture, street troubadours and classic cars. Meet your tour leader and fellow passengers today at the start accommodation. Accommodation: Casas particulares

After a bike fitting, we have a cycling tour of Havana with members of the Cuban Masters Road Cycling Club. This club is made of veteran Cuban cyclists who regularly compete in races in their respective age groups and will give us an insight into competitive cycling in Cuba. Arriving into the Old Town, we stop for a cafecito (Cuban-style coffee) at a privately owned café, which also offers snacks and drinks. Later, we transfer to Playa Larga and stay overnight at the Bay of Pigs; dinner is at a small beachfront restaurant specialising in fish freshly caught just off the coast. Accommodation: Casas particulares

Our day begins with a coastal cycle ride from Playa Larga to Playa Giron, where we visit a museum to learn about the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the historical significance of the region. After, we cycle to the coast and a place called Caleta Buena for lunch and a swim, before transferring to Cienfuegos. Today’s ride follows a flat road clinging to the shimmering Caribbean coastline. The city of Cienfuegos is full of architectural delights, with a beautiful main square and restored buildings. One of the best ways to get around is by bici-taxi, a fun tour using the ecofriendly and typical city transport. Each bici-taxi can accommodate two people and is pedalled by a local resident (most of whom like to introduce their guests to reggaeton music!). The bici-taxi tour is a great time to talk to Cienfuegos residents and practise your Spanish. After, we check into our casas for the night. They are close to the town centre and some great paladares (traditional restaurants). The malecon coastal road is usually a lively place to soak up the atmosphere with locals. Accommodation: Casas particulares

On today’s ride, we are joined by members of the Cienfuegos cycling team; there is plenty of time to chat before and during the ride at the various pitstops. This morning, we cycle from Cienfuegos to Cumanayagua before transferring to El Nicho Waterfall. We have a short walk to the waterfall, where we can relax and enjoy a swim in the natural pools. Lunch is at a paladar next to El Nicho. In the afternoon, we return to Cienfuegos by bus. For those interested, there is the option to do a more challenging ride and cycle all the way to El Nicho Waterfall. Accommodation: Casas particulares

Our friends from the Cienfuegos cycling club join us again today to ride from Cienfuegos to Rancho La Vega, an interesting farm where we have lunch. We transfer by bus to Trinidad, declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1988 and perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad can feel like entering a time warp, the colourful, cobbled streets and horse-drawn transportation whisking us back. There are many interesting museums housed in old colonial buildings and music drifts through the streets and plazas, bringing the town to life. In Trinidad, we have a walking orientation of the town and dinner at a paladar. Accommodation: Casas particulares

We cycle to the fishing village of La Boca, a popular spot with fishermen going about their daily business, before continuing our ride to Playa Ancón, a classic white-sand Caribbean beach where we have time to relax, eat lunch in a beach paladar, and enjoy the sea. We have a short cycle back to Trinidad, where we take part in a salsa class this evening with Cuban dance partners. There is one dance partner for each member of the group, to assist with teaching the correct salsa moves. Trinidad is known for its nightlife, so after we’ve learnt the salsa basics, we go to Casa de la Trova, a legendary live music venue, to listen to local musicians playing authentic Cuban music. This venue is always lively and sociable, with plenty of Cubans keen to let us practise our dancing with them! Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we have short ride from Trinidad to Rio Seibabo in the heart of the Sierra del Escambray mountain range. En route, we stop at the Manaca Iznaga textiles market to meet traditional textile makers and sellers. Our next stop is at a farm where we are introduced to a local farmer and his family who make delicious honey. We then transfer to Santa Clara, the first major city to be liberated by Castro’s army in December 1958. Today, several monuments commemorate this important period, including the mausoleum of Che Guevara, where we stop for a short visit. Afterwards, we transfer back to Havana. We then tour the capital… and there is no better way to see Havana than by classic car. Visiting both the old and new areas of the city in pristine classic cars in vibrant colours, we discover the distinct neighbourhoods of the capital, stopping at points of interest for explanations and stories. Feel free to ask questions about why the streets are filled with 1950s American cars and how the owners maintain them! This evening, we have dinner at a private paladar in Havana. Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we have a walking tour of Havana, the busy, bustling, energetic capital. It is one of the finest colonial cities in the Americas with narrow streets, spacious plazas and glorious architecture. There is an air of faded grandeur about the place with paint peeling off buildings. Old Havana is often described as a living museum, with marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. During our tour, we visit a ration store, food market and artisan market for a chance to buy souvenirs. It’s then time to bid your group and leader a fond farewell as this marks the end of our Cuban two-wheeled adventure.